FAA proposes Changes to Sport Pilots FARS

[SoaringSeth]

Hey guys,

The FAA has started the process to change some sections of the Sport Pilot's FAR. Here is a list of proposed changes:

B. Discussion of Specific Proposals

1. Replace sport pilot privileges with aircraft category and class ratings on all pilot certificates

2. Replace sport pilot flight instructor privileges with aircraft category ratings on all flight instructor certificates

3. Remove current provisions for the conduct of proficiency checks by flight instructors and include provisions for the issuance of category and class ratings by designated pilot examiners

4. Place all requirements for flight instructors under a single subpart (subpart H) of part 61

5. Require 1 hour of flight training on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments for student pilots seeking a sport pilot certificate to operate an airplane with a maximum airspeed in level flight with maximum continuous power (VH) greater than 87 knots calibrated airspeed (CAS) and sport pilots operating airplanes with a VH greater than 87 knots CAS

6. Remove the requirement for persons exercising sport pilot privileges and flight instructors with a sport pilot rating to carry their logbooks while in flight

7. Remove the requirement that persons exercising sport pilot privileges have an aircraft make-and-model endorsement to operate a specific set of aircraft while adding provisions for endorsements for the operation of powered parachutes with elliptical wings and aircraft with a VH less than or equal to 87 knots CAS

8. Remove the requirement for all flight instructors to log at least 5 hours of flight time in a make and model of light-sport aircraft before providing training in any aircraft from the same set of aircraft in which that training is given

9. Permit persons exercising sport pilot privileges and the privileges of a student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate to fly up to an altitude of not more than 10,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) or 2,000 feet above ground level (AGL), whichever is higher

10. Permit private pilots to receive compensation for production flight testing of powered parachutes and weight-shift-control aircraft intended for certification in the light-sport category under SEC 21.190

11. Revise student sport pilot solo cross-country navigation and communication flight training requirements

12. Clarify cross-country distance requirements for private pilots seeking to operate weight-shift-control aircraft

13. Revise aeronautical experience requirements at towered airports for persons seeking to operate a powered parachute or weight-shift-control aircraft as a private pilot

14. Remove the requirement for pilots with only a powered parachute or a weight-shift-control aircraft rating to take a knowledge test for an additional rating at the same certificate level

15. Revise the amount of hours of flight training an applicant for a sport pilot certificate must log within 60 days prior to taking the practical test

16. Remove expired ultralight transition provisions and limit the use of aeronautical experience obtained in ultralight vehicles

17. Add a requirement for student pilots to obtain endorsements identical to those proposed for sport pilots in SUBSEC 61.324 and 61.327

18. Clarify that an authorized instructor must be in a powered parachute when providing flight instruction to a student pilot

19. Remove the requirement for aircraft certificated as experimental aircraft in the light-sport category to comply with the applicable maintenance and preventive maintenance requirements of part 43 when those aircraft have been previously issued a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category

20. Require aircraft owners or operators to retain a record of the current status of applicable safety directives for special light-sport aircraft

21. Provide for the use of aircraft with a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category in training courses approved under part 141

22. Revise the minimum safe-altitude requirements for powered parachutes and weight-shift-control aircraft

III. Paperwork Reduction Act

IV. International Compatibility

V. Regulatory Notices and Analyses


What do y'all think?

[CharlieTango]

for us mountain guys the 2,000' agl esception is big.

i think they missed a couple of obvious conditions on the altitude limitation.

1) 2,000 above airspace like class C or TFR with 10,000 foot ceilings.
2) 2,000 agl could extend over the valleys between the mountains where 2,000 agl comes into play so you don't have to climb then descend then climb again then descend again.

with no lateral extension you also have to climb and descend above 10,000 at the same rate that the terrain rises and falls, not exactly a normal approach to crossing terrain.

[CTflyer]

Seth - thanks for posting the entire list of proposed changes. I think CharlieTango posted about this a few days ago in a topic under Hangar Talk; here's his link to the EAA announcement:

http://www.eaa.org/news/2008/2008-04-11_sport_pilot.asp

How should we interpret #1? "Replace sport pilot privileges with aircraft category and class ratings on all pilot certificates"

What does that actually mean?

Tom